It Ain't Easy Being Izzi!

It’s our honor to announce the SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY of the Annual Adopt Stroll and Contest! Originally created in 2006 by Lucia, we are committed to bringing it back each year!! A Special Bark Out to Gibbon, who headed the contest and took on the major share of the workload previously and is helping us get started this year. Arrroooooo!!

So what is this contest about and what do you do? Details are below!

What is the mission of the contest? :?
This is a contest created by Dogster members. It provides an opportunity allowing Dogster members to share their life experience as to how an adopted pup has brought joy, love and fulfillment to one’s life. The mission is simple -- to inspire, motivate and encourage others to consider adoption when adding a member to their family. So many beautiful pups wait in cages and foster homes throughout the world. If this contest can change just one person’s mind to adopt, we have accomplished our goal! Each year we receive many beautiful stories of love and devotion, stories from those who have brought a dog in need into their family and have found much love, some challenges and so many rewards.

Who is eligible to enter, what do you need to do? :?
All Dogsters are welcome!! Pups who have been adopted, awaiting adoption, transport pets or volunteer or who just support adoption! That’s pretty much every pup! BOL! You do not have to be adopted to be eligible.

Your entry MUST include a tagged picture and a diary entry or bio on your page. The entry/bio can be a story, a poem, an essay so long as it's on your page! Feel free to be creative BUT it must reflect adoption – and what it means to you.

How many winners and what are the categories?

There will be a total of ELEVEN WINNERS this year!!!

There are four categories with several places in the main category (Grand Prize, 2nd, 3rd and Five Honorable Mentions) for the MAIN ADOPTION CATEGORY, ONE WINNER for the RAINBOW ANGEL CATEGORY (added in 2008), and ONE WINNER for the SASSY’S SENIOR CATEGORY created especially for Sassy, a beloved Dogster member who went to the Rainbow Bridge this year, a contest judge and strong supporter of the Dogster community and the contest (added in 2010). Pups who are 8 years or older are eligible to enter into this category and we suggest your diary entry be more specific to adoption and senior living, and a category added just last year, SPECIAL NEEDS!!!! To be eligible to enter for Special Needs, you must have a physical disability and/or have a chronic or terminal illness. If you are unsure if you qualify, please contact one of the judges to assist you. We suggest your diary entry be more specific to adoption and special needs!

What's the Deadline? :?
Pictures must be entered before Sunday, July 8th @ 9 pm Dogster time (PST) ~~ that gives you plenty of time to decide on your entry and ask us any questions!

Can you enter more than one picture? :?
Only ONE picture per pup. If you have siblings or fosters, each dog can have one individual photo entered with their own entry/bio. Entering more than one photo for one pup may result in disqualification!

What type of picture? :?
Photos should capture 'the good life'. Whether it's lounging on a comfy couch, playing fetch with your human or wrestling with your siblings - any picture that shows the positive impact of being in a great home! Natural pictures are preferred but you can enter a picture that is animated, edited or anything else to celebrate adoption and rescue. No special consideration is given for edited pictures.

What about the diary entry/bio? :?
For your diary entry, you must title the entry ADOPT 2012 CONTEST so we know which diary to review. We strongly recommend that if you want to use a previous diary entry, please copy it as one of your more recent entries so it will be easier to locate. If it is in your bio, please be sure you also place the same title at the place of the bio you want us to consider. It can never be too short or too long so long as it is about adoption and what it has meant to you.

We cannot consider an entry that is not appropriately titled. If you have FALLING OBJECTS on your page, please note that some of us judges might have trouble opening your page to read your entry, we will try to notify you but understand that there will be several entries to review. To make it easier, please consider removing the falling objects during the two week judging period.

We thank all the individual pups and businesses who have reached into their pockets and hearts. We encourage you to click on their links below and visit their sites! Special shout out to Dogster for being a HUGE supporter and donator of our contest. We would all not be here as a community to celebrate us pups if it were not for Dogster!

All entries for all three strolls are eligible to win any of the MAIN category slots (Grand, 2nd, 3rd and five HMs). The Rainbow Angel and Sassy’s Senior categories are reserved for entries who tag the applicable strolls.

During the contest period to submit entries, Dogster members can contact River, Trudy or Georgie if they would like to continue to add to the list of prizes. We will revise the list during the contest and note the prize as NEW

$75.00 Rescue Donation to Best Friends in Utah in the name of all the winners collectively donated by Flicka,Lucas and Cleo (I.M)
A custom dog portrait from Artist, Terry Stanleydonated by River
$25.00 Petsmart or Petco Gift Card donated by Dogster

$75.00 Rescue Donation to Best Friends in Utah in the name of all the winners collectively donated by Flicka, Lucas and Cleo (I.M)
$50.00 Gift Basket (shipping may be included in value) donated by Amy and siblings, Tiki, Chili, Moxie and Peanut (In Loving Memory)

$75.00 Rescue Donation to Best Friends in Utah in the name of all the winners collectively donated by Flicka, Lucas and Cleo (I.M)
$50.00 Gift Basket by Sn oop Dog Beagleys Group
$25.00 Gift Certificate to Petco/Petsmart donated by Dogster
Dogster Plus Subscription or Renewal donated by Dogster